Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 19.01.2023
In the Village Hall, Castle Combe.
Present:
Cllrs: F. Winup (Chairman)
B. Blair
Mrs. J Halliday
S. Bettles
J. Prior
Mrs S. Parker (Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer)
Unitary Councillor N. Botterill
4 members of the public
1. Apologies for absence
Cllrs G. Clegg Littler, J. Mackelden
2. Declarations of Interest
None
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 27.11.22
It was proposed by Cllr Halliday and seconded by Cllr Bettles that these be accepted as a true record. This was unanimously agreed by the meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.
4. Matters Arising
4a. Area Board Meeting and Parish Forum:
At the Area Board meeting on the 16th January, Cllr. Winup gave a verbal update on Dunns Lane in addition to an extensive written report and addendum. The next meeting is 13th March 2023 and Cllr. Bettles agreed to attend it.
Parish Forum. There is still no news on the recommencement of these meetings.
4B. Dunns Lane car park and Parking Review
Cllr Winup reported there were 35 bookings in November and 16 in October. The traffic wardens visited 159 times in November and 133 in December. The traffic wardens are not ticketing cars illegally parked on the hill over the Christmas and New Year period, only 8 vehicles were booked in this period, although the hill was full on each day.
ITV News interviewed Cllrs. Winup and Mackelden and it was made clear that the imposition of charges in the car park have greatly impacted on safety and that WC will be held accountable in the event of a serious incident.
The highways department have confirmed that the recommendations agreed at the last PC meeting will be implemented in February now that the legal formalities are complete. Cllrs discussed the tow away signs, but they are all too big to be put onto the post, Cllr. Winup proposed purchasing 4 ‘clamp’ signs which will fit, for £35.00, seconded by Cllr. Halliday all agreed. Cllr. Botterill recommended that CCTV signs should also be installed, and this will be investigated.
The response to the councils Freedom of information request confirmed that WC do not hold a central register on consultations.
Cllr discussed the press article about WC spending £325,000 to expand the car park, Cllr. Botterill explained WC capital budget and where the money comes from and how it can be spent. Cllrs. discussed whether there is a need for it to be expanded. It was agreed to wait and see what the proposal is before sending in comments to WC.
4C. Footpaths
The Cotswold Wardens will begin work on the restoration of footpath 5 when the weather improves.
The unstable post supporting the gate at the top of Park Lane has now been repaired. Cllrs discussed giving the Cotswold Wardens a donation for the help they give the parish, it was agreed to give the £100, proposed by Cllr. Winup, seconded by Cllr. Prior all agreed.
Any news on Colham Mill footpath there is no update on this path.
Latest position on scalpings (estimated 18 tons) there is none available at the moment but it will be used at Whitegates and on the edges of the roads. The repairs on Quarry Corner 2 years ago are breaking down, Cllr. Halliday will meet with Cllr. Botterill to go through the list requiring repairs.
4D. Congregational Chapel Car Park. There is still nothing from the Land Registry, Cllr. Winup will contact them again before the next meeting.
An oil tank has been left in the car park, Cllr. Winup will visit the site to see who put it there and how to remove it.
4Q. Ultra-Fast Broadband. Cllr. Botterill gave an update on this and said that the private sector are not bidding for rural areas. There is a Voucher scheme that residents can sign up to for Ultra-fast broadband for a Government Grant.
6B. Community Governance Review. Cllr. Blair reported that he had a meeting with the wardens from the Church and looked at these documents that have been sent to WC department dealing with the CG Review. The meeting between the three parishes has been postponed until after the public presentation. When it is rescheduled Cllr. Blair will attend it.
5. Finance.
5.1 Budget. The budget was circulated to cllrs prior to the meeting. Cllr. Winup noted that the expenditure at £22,805 is vastly greater that income of £6402. Over £10000 of the expenditure is for capital items, much of which can be deferred if necessary. There has been no income budgeted for filming although there have been tentative enquires. The gap between expenditure and income shows the parish council reliance on filming although there is the potential of income from the sale of the Chapel car park. The figures from the Television and Village Hall committees will be done in the summer. Cllr. Halliday proposed the budget is approved seconded by Cllr Bettles, all approved.
5.2 Expenses and Income.
Income Nil
Expenses paid.
D. Ryall salary 577.90
HMRC 333.60
Cllr. Mackeldenn Printing/chippings 54.00
D. Ryall salary 105.00
Cllr. Winup printing 59.00
Cllr. Winup bench 465.00
HMRC tax/NI rest due for Nov/Dec 170.37
Town & Parish Council pd 2 waiting for refund 56.00
1st cheq was delayed due to postal strike
Lloyds current account at 29/12/2022 £25,721.78
Shawbrook bond £15001.46 confirmed as correct on date of the meeting. Post meeting. The signature changes to the accounts have now been approved and the clerk will move £15,000 into the higher interest account approved at the last meeting.
6. Correspondence. WC have notified all councils re their proposal to charge them for future election expenses. Cllr. Botterill explained the cost for uncontested and contested elections and that the charges will come in at the next election, this is information for councils to budget for it next year.
7. Planning applications. Planning Applications Determined.
PL/2022/08972 – Palm Cottage Decision: No Objection
PL/2022/09018 – Combe House.:- Decision: No Objection
PL/2022/09019 – Bybrook Decision: No Objection
PL/2022/08352 – The Manor House Hotel, Decision: Approve with Conditions
PL/2022/09051 – Beckers Wood No Objection
7a. Planning Applications under Consideration:
PL/2022/09478 – Three Gables, Respond By 19-01-2023.
PL/2022/09836 – 51 Whitegates, Respond By 01-02-2023 Parish council have objected due to the conversion is for a residential building, which is against the condition when it was separated from the main house. Also contrary to the Wiltshire Local Plan.
8. Unitary Councillor Report
Cllr. Botterill said that following the accident at Kent Bottom there will be an inquest and recommendations made, one of the reasons for the accident may have been speed. He will be visiting the Circuit regarding Yatton Keynells complaint about noise from the race track, it has been tested and is within the correct sound level. The removal of the hedge is not a planning issue, but he will try to get them to make it visably pleasing, it has been done to give people leaving the circuit better visibility.
The Council budget has been published and is a balanced budget. The main increase is for social and child care
9. Playing Field and CC Circuit reports
• The club has been made aware of the problems caused by visitors parking on the B4039.
• JM/JP will walk the boundaries when the weather improves (and before the lease renewal date)
[b] Circuit
• The circuit has confirmed that the tree and hedge row clearance was undertaken to improve sight lines for vehicles. Planning permission was not required (Confirmed by Wiltshire Council, who will nonetheless check the impact on drainage).
• Plans to relocate the entrance onto the B4039 have been shelved.
10. Play Area reports Cllr. Prior reported on the Upper Play area:
Moss needs attention. A large tree branch has fallen across the goal crossbar and the net needs fixing in parts.
Cllr. Mackledenn report on the Lower Play Area:
JM will tidy further and install more bark when the weather improves.
A villager has offered to join the mowing rota.
11. Highways Report. Cllr. Halliday gave her report and said that the streetsweeper for leaves is down to once a week on a Friday, then will go back to once a month. The flood signs will remain for a few more weeks.
Vehicles are still speeding in Upper Castle Combe it would be good to get a speed assessment done. Action clerk to book a metro count.
The road into Colham Mill is very rutted, Cllr. Halliday will report it.
12. Village Environment. Cllrs G. Clegg Littler report was read out by Cllr. Winup.
The golf club is undertaking several sustainability initiatives and a meeting will be arranged with Mike Roberts and Karen Munnings to investigate possible actions within the village in addition to the measures they have introduced at St Andrews.
Following the recent flooding in the lower village Cllr Winup recommended the purchase of a puddle pump for up to £100 to be kept with existing flood items. Seconded by Cllr Bettles and agreed. New sand bag containers will be installed when the weather improves.
The new bench by Waterside will be delivered shortly.
Cllr Winup will discuss ideas for the Coronation weekend with St Andrews and Whitegates residents.
13. Whitegates Nothing to report.
14. TV Committee
Invoices for the coming year are being issued at the same discounted rates as last year as the funds are healthy at £8000.
Some remedial work to the aerial and ancillaries will be necessary this year but the system is currently working well.
Gareth Hare, the chairman, is seeking an additional committee member from among the subscribers.
15. Village Hall Quarterly checks complete. Funds now £5622
16. David Ryall presentation
Cllr. Winup proposed presenting him with a Dash Cam and wildlife camera total £172 including VAT. Less than £7 per annum for each year of service! Seconded Cllr. Halliday, all approved.
17. Date of next meeting.16TH March Thursday 2023 at 7.30pm. in the Village Hall Castle Combe.